Tom Westerberg, who led the Allen football team to four state championships over the last eight seasons – including three straight – is the new head football coach and athletic director at Barbers Hill.

Westerberg will replace Ronnie Gage, who retired after six seasons at Barbers Hill and 39 years overall in coaching.

In addition to becoming the football coach, Westerberg will become the athletic department’s top official, a position he never held at Allen. He begins later this month.

According to Texas Tribune’s government salaries database, Westerberg’s compensation as the assistant athletic director and head football coach was $109,657.

“I have been fortunate to be part of a program here in Allen that has reached the highest level,” Westerberg said in a news release from Allen ISD. “I felt it was a good time to pursue the opportunity to become an athletic director. The position of athletic director/head football coach at Barbers Hill gives me the opportunity to do that and still be involved with football.”

“It has been awesome watching the Allen program grow. The parents, the fans, the school district and of course the players all make Allen a very special place to be and I can’t express my appreciation enough for the chance to coach here.”

Westerberg started at Allen in 2001 as an assistant before taking over three years later and becoming an assistant athletic director in 2007. Since 2004, he compiled a 148-17 record with four state titles (2008, 2012-14). He was also named National Coach of the Year in 2014 by the National High School Coaches Association.

“We are sorry to see Tom go but we understand his desire to advance in his career,” Allen superintendent Lance Hindt said in a release. “Beyond the success that he has helped bring to our football program, Tom has run the program with integrity and positively influenced the lives of hundreds of athletes and coaches. We wish him well in his new administrative and coaching position.”

Added Allen ISD athletic director Steve Williams: “We want to thank Tom for all he’s done for the program. He took over a good program and carried it to a different level with four state championships to show for it.”

Barbers Hill went 4-6 this season and hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2012. The Eagles haven’t been past the second round since 1999. Barbers Hill has won two football state championships (in 1971 and 1976), both coming as a Class 1A program.